Do restorative materials influence the microflora under restorations?

Abstract

The microflora around and beneath restorations is an important factor of restoration failure. Although caries activity and location had the greatest influence on the microbial flora under the restorations, the kind of restoration material seems to have an additional effect on the composition of the microflora. Inadequate composite resin restorations can promote the development of eariogenic, anaerobic and pulpopatogenic microorganisms, while under amalgam restorations the microflora is smaller, probably due to the antibacterial effect of the metallic ions. Under glass ionomer restorations the chance of development of secondary caries is smaller, because there is release of fluoride ions. The purpose of the present study is to distinguish, based on literature review, the microflora under amalgam, composite and glass ionomer restorations.